A name's a name? Sometimes not...

DEARAUNTYJI

I have recently arrivedinSydney fromKerala. where my entire family werestrong supporters ofthe CommunistParty.As you mayknow, the Communist Party has done a lot of greatwork inKerala, our literacy rates are exemplary and oursocial policies, well, don't even getme started on this Nowthe thing isthatmy father trulyadmiredJosef Stalin, andthought he was a greatman. Consequently, when I was born, he decidedthat I should be called Stalin Growing up in Kerala, thiswasn'tan issue In fact,therewasthree otherStalins in my class, exceptforthe summer of 96 when there were six of us - on account of some boystransferringto ourschool. I arrived in Australiathree months ago and I am usually metwith startled looks each time I introduce myself Everyone wantsto know about my name and unlikeKeralans, I have beentoldthat Australians don'tfeel thesame way aboutStalin as we do. So whatshould I do?Should I consider changingmy name?

AUNTYJISAYS

CHANGEYOURNAMEl Yourfather mayhave arose-coloured view of MrJosefStalin,butAustraliatakes amore historically accurate view of thetyrantwho killed 20million ofhis countrymen.Being named afterone of theworld'smostdespiseddictators is notsomething youwantto go around proclaiming, especially in a professional setting. Eachtime an Australianlooks atyou,alltheycanthink aboutishow manymenwerekilled bysomeone with yourname. It's like beingnamed NathuramGodse. Ifyou hadthisname, wouldn'tyouwanttochangeit? Well, it'sthe same in Australia. Okay, I understandyoudon'twanttohurtyour father'sfeelings, butwhile youare here, save yourselfthe hassle ofthesame old boringquestions.So whatname should you chooseto be known as?Well,there are so many options.Santosh.Sandeep. Sangamesh. Butwhynottrysomething even better.How aboutShane.Then when Australians ask whetherthisis your realname, youcansay yes.You chooseto callyourself afteragreat Australian-ShaneWarne.

Dear Auntyji

Auntyji Says

Iseetwo streams ofthoughthere.The firstisthatyou feelwe can'talways marry whoeverwewant.This istrue of everyone, andnotjusta peculiarity of any particularcommunity. Most everyonewilltellyou astory ofthe onethatgot away. Butthis happens everywhere andthere isnothing new aboutthis.Yoursecondpoint-and Ithink where you're confusingthe issue- isthatyoufeelthatjustbecause you missedouton your love, one can'talwaysmarrythepersonwhom theylove.The pointRavi istryingto make, isthatbeingpartofthe LGBTQI community, he hasthesamerights as anyone elseto marry.Thisiswhathe means-andthis is completelydifferent fromthefirstpoint. Allconsenting adults should havethe rightto be with, and indeed,marrywhomeverthey please. Toputitbluntly,Ramushouldbeable to marryShamuifthey choose.Just because yourfirst love wentandsettled withsomeone else, doesn'tmean you can'tgive love a chance withsomeone else, And indeed,ifyouso please,why shouldn'tyou marrythis person if you feelyouwantedtomake a commitment tothem forthe restof yourlife? DoyouhaveaquestionforAuntyji? Emailinfo@indianlink.com.au

Know Thyself as Soul

Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? Sant

I am a 40-year-oldsingle man and I have been watching allthistalk of same sex marriage onthe news. My closest cousin Ravi who is38 is all in favour ofthis and has found himself a partner andhas come out and now attends all family functions with Pravin. Everyone acceptsthis and no one says anything Ravi is fairly flamboyant and will loudly proclaim thathe should be allowedto marry whoever he wants and has hinted that he will marry Pravin whenthe time comes - as thoughthis is perfectly tine. When I listen to Ravi, I get frustrated because he acts asthough he should be ableto marry whoeverhe wants The truth is, Auntyji, 20 years ago Itoo metsomeonethatI wanted to spend the rest of my life with, but I couldn't because he wantedto listen to his parents and do the rightthing bythem He went and gotmarriedto a lady and theyhavethree grown up kids now So mythinking isthat wecan't always marry whom we wantand I don't see why Pravin thinks he should Everytime I bringthis up with Pravin we end up in an argument. What are yourthoughts?

Awarded Victorian 2014 Dealer Of The Year

leMansToyota

J

AtLeMansToyotawe've been meetingtheneedsofcarbuyers andToyotaownersin Melbourne's'west' forover25yearsbyproudlyprovidinganexceptionalrangeofproductsandtheverybestinservice forourguests,fromaconvenientlylocatedstate-of-the-artfacility.Call insoon anddiscoverwhatreal guestawarenessandautomotivecareisreallyall about.

The Le Mans Toyota Advantage:

Extensive range ofnew, used and demonstrator vehicles at incredible savings

Courtesyvehicles available for service guests- bookings essential

Comprehensive range of intelligentfinance and insurance packages

Toyota Genuine Partsare covered byToyota's National Parts Warranty

OurToyota trained technicians usingthelatestequipment will ensure your vehicle runs like new Accident RepairCentre department can assist with insurance claims

Ourteam ofToyota experts is commited to providing you with an inspired automotive experience atall times.

6GB